ED argued that the vacation bench of the trial court, which granted Kejriwal bail, did not consider any relevant material presented, which allegedly demonstrated Kejriwal’s deep involvement in the money laundering case
NEW DELHI: Today (24th June): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) opposed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s bail plea in the liquor policy case, labeling the trial court’s order as illegal and perverse.
READ ALSO: “ED Biased Against Arvind Kejriwal”: Delhi Court in Bail Order
In its submission to the Delhi High Court, the ED argued that the vacation bench of the trial court, which granted Kejriwal bail, did not consider any relevant material presented, which allegedly demonstrated Kejriwal’s deep involvement in the money laundering case.
The ED further claimed that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was the primary beneficiary of the illicit funds generated from the Delhi liquor scam. The agency criticized the vacation judge bench for ignoring Kejriwal’s vicarious role under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
According to the ED, around Rs 45 crore of the proceeds from the crime were utilized by the AAP during the 2022 Assembly elections in Goa, implicating Kejriwal in the offence of money laundering.
READ ALSO: BREAKING| Arvind Kejriwal Appeals to Supreme Court Challenging Interim Stay on Bail
Additionally, earlier on Monday, the Supreme Court had advised Kejriwal to await the High Court’s decision on his bail plea. Kejriwal had approached the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court’s delay on his bail plea until June 25, following a petition by the ED.
On June 21, the Delhi High Court had issued an interim stay on the trial court order granting bail to Kejriwal in the liquor policy case.
Background:
On March 21, Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in relation to the excise policy case. The case involves alleged irregularities and money laundering in the framing and implementation of the Delhi Excise Policy 2022, which was subsequently scrapped. The ED has claimed that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is the primary beneficiary of the proceeds of crime generated in the alleged liquor scam. It has also alleged Kejriwal’s direct involvement in the formulation of the excise policy.
According to the material collected by the Enforcement Directorate, Arvind Kejriwal is accused of conspiring and actively participating in the use and concealment of proceeds of crime. The ED’s case reveals Kejriwal’s involvement both in his personal capacity and as the convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party.
READ ALSO: [BREAKING] Big Setback For Arvind Kejriwal | Interim Stay on Bail Order by Delhi HC
On April 15, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the ED in response to Kejriwal’s plea against his arrest. The Delhi High Court had previously upheld his arrest on April 9, stating that the ED had few alternatives after Kejriwal repeatedly evaded summonses and refused to cooperate with the investigation. The case revolves around allegations of corruption and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi government’s excise policy for the year 2021–22, which has now been repealed.
